67 School Referendum Questions On Ballots Across Wisconsin

Voters in school districts across Wisconsin will decide Tuesday whether to raise their own taxes in order to give more money to local schools.

There are 67 school referendum questions on state ballots seeking additional funding for building projects, maintenance and operations. That’ll make more than 150 school referendums in 2016 – a 10-year high, according to state Department of Public Instruction data.

The Chippewa Falls Unified School District is seeking $160 million through two referendum questions. Superintendent Heidi Eliopoulos said, if approved, the increase will fund a new elementary school and high school.

“We’re hearing a great deal of support for the question(s), so I guess when people are asking me, I’m as anxious as anyone to hear what the community tells us,” Eliopoulos said.

The Eau Claire Area School District is seeking $88 million from voters over 15 years. School Board Member Joe Luginbill said the money is for maintenance, staffing and debt service.

“We’ve been hearing a lot of good things and, truly, in such a divisive election, I think people want something to rally around, and what better than our public schools here,” Luginbill said.

The approval rate for referendums has increased in recent years. In the April primary, 77 percent of referendum questions were approved, according to the state data.